Annual Report 2004 - Inquest

creates an impression that INQUEST is always being
consulted but never listened to.
In the meantime INQUEST’s public profile has never been
higher and it continues to take centre stage in important
public debates about accountability for controversial deaths
and the nature of the inquest procedure. We await the
response to the White Paper on Coroners Reform with the
very real fear that lack of government resources will inhibit
any will for substantive reform.
INQUEST’s dedicated staff have continued to serve it well
this year and there has been a very modest increase in the size
of the organisation. Once again Deborah Coles and Helen
Shaw have led on a range of important policy issues and on
the most controversial cases. Gilly Mundy has continued to
cope with the ever increasing mass of urgent casework, joined
from September 2004 by Catherine Hayes. Marcie Shaoul,
communications officer, has maintained excellent links with
the media and the campaigning profile. From December 2004
Adam Barty is assisting on a research project. Information
worker Richard Fontenoy ensures incoming information is
analysed and monitored and Melanie Lowe, the administrator,
continues to hold it all together. My heartfelt thanks to all of
them and to all who support INQUEST in the important work
it does.
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